This collection of Callahan's cartoons, including his brief autobiography, has a less sharp edge than his later bookeven if it has an "Adult Swim" vibe. There's still jokes about addiction, fat people, disability, and mental illness, but at this point in his career, there's a visible empathy, a clear "survivor humor".

John Callahan’s cartoons comment on the mores and follies of contemporary society. His targets are diverse, but his favorite subjects include addiction in its many forms, disabilities, religious themes, self-concept and self-esteem. He also loves silly puns and satire. A recovered alcoholic and quadriplegic, addictions and physical challenges are the topics he addresses most frequently.

I look for three features in the work of cartoonists, humor, artistic presentation, and insight or a new perspective. “Digesting The Child Within” does not merit a very high evaluation on any of these dimensions. I do expect that cartoons should be examples of fine art, but I favor works that give the appearance the cartoonists take pride in the visual quality of their work. David Horsey, Bill Watterson, and Gary Larson represent rather different styles that exemplify the types of work I appreciate. At the other end of the continuum are works that I think of as scribble art. Callahan work is an example.

I also appreciate cartoons that include an element of humor. You can see in the works presented in this book that Callahan is trying, but unfortunately his work fails to elicit more than a faint smile. Some of his cartoons are clever, not a single one elicited so much as a chuckle.

Finally, I tend to be a faithful reader of cartoons that provide genuine insights into human nature and our social institutions. The closest Callahan comes to insights are his puns and satirical pieces.

A rather unusual feature of “Digesting The Child Within” is the 25 page autobiographical section that concludes this book. In this Callahan describes his long, futile struggle with alcoholism, his multiple automobile accidents and resulting paralysis and his eventual fit of rage that led to “a deep and cleansing cry.” After that, he reports, “I have not wanted a drink.” ( )